Netflix reports strong Q3, will launch non-US streaming service next year

Netflix posted its third quarter results yesterday, showing revenue of $423.1 million, a 4% increase from the second quarter and 24% from last year. Net income was $30.1 million or $.52 per share, up from $20.4 million or $.33 a share in the year-ago quarter. Sales grew 24% to $423.1 million from $341.3 million in 2008.

Netflix closed the third quarter with 11.1 million subscribers, which is 28% higher than the previous year's 8.67 million, and 5% more than the second quarter. Of that 11.1 million, 98% were paid subscribers and 2% were free members. While most Netflix users still prefer to handle business via snail mail, the company's Internet streaming service is taking off.

Some 42% of Netflix subscribers streamed at least 15 minutes of one TV episode or movie during the third quarter, which is 22% more than last year. Given this rising interest, Netflix plans to launch an international streaming-only service in the second half of 2010 -- though, it won't be available to US customers (at least not from the get-go).